ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs side event via Zoom: Friday 12 June, 11am – 12.30am EDT / 5pm – 6:30pm CET

Co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Austria, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ireland, Mozambique, New Zealand, Norway and Uruguay.

To attend the side event, please register HERE.

See HERE for the technical note on how to attend.

Data shows that when explosive weapons are used in populated areas, approximately 90% of those reported killed and injured are civilians. Beyond those killed, injured and psychologically traumatised, an even greater number of civilians are affected as a result of damage and destruction to essential infrastructure and services. Hospitals are damaged, hampering the provision and quality of medical care to civilian populations. Damage to sanitation systems creates additional problems around maintaining basic levels of hygiene, resulting in further illness and disease.

In the current context of the COVID 19 pandemic, the impact of explosive weapons on access to healthcare and water and sanitation is potentially catastrophic for civilian populations. The side event will give an overview of the humanitarian consequences resulting from use of explosive weapons in populated areas, in Yemen in particular, and the practical actions states and other actors can take to address short and long-term harm to civilians.

Chair: Mr. Brian Flynn, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Ireland in New York.

Introductory remarks: Ambassador Luis Gallegos, Permanent Representative of Ecuador in New York

Speakers:
Ms. Alison Bottomley, Humanity & Inclusion (HI)
Ms. Eirini Giorgou, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Mr. Simon Bagshaw, Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA)
Ms. Alma Taslidžan Al-Osta, on behalf of International Network on Explosive Weapons (INEW)